Contamination detection tool merges synthetic biology and nanotech for ultrasensitive water testing

Researchers at Northwestern University have created a new platform for monitoring chemical contaminants in the environment. The platform can detect the metals lead and cadmium at concentrations down to two and one parts per billion, respectively, in a matter of minutes. It was created by interfacing nanomechanical microcantilevers with synthetic biology biosensors. When the tiny cantilevers are coated with DNA molecules, biosensing molecules bind to the DNA, causing the cantilevers to bend. When exposed to toxic metals, the biosensors unbind, causing the cantilever to “de-bend,” which can be measured precisely to detect the toxic metals.